The ICT-Based Food Security Management of Bangladesh

Abstract

Food security remains a critical issue in Bangladesh, where an essential part of the population faces challenges related to access, availability, and utilization of nutritious food. Addressing these challenges requires innovative approaches, and integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has emerged as a promising solution. This study aims to investigate the role of ICT in food security management in Bangladesh, exploring its potential to enhance agricultural productivity, improve market efficiency, and ensure equitable access to food resources. The objectives include assessing the effectiveness of ICT-based interventions, identifying key challenges and opportunities, and providing recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to leverage ICT for sustainable food security outcomes. The study titled The ICT-Based Food Security Management of Bangladesh investigates the complex relationships that shape food security management in Bangladesh. A quantitative research approach was employed to attain the purposes of this research based on cross sectional variable. The primary data was collected through structured questionnaire surveys based on a 5-point Likert scale of 400 with critical stakeholders, including government officials in agricultural department, agricultural experts, farmers, and representatives of ICT companies from Dhaka (20.3%), Chottogram (14%), Khulna (28.3%), and Sylhet (37.5%) in Bangladesh, based on purposive sampling. Additionally, quantitative analysis was conducted to measure the influence of ICT on various food security indicators, including agricultural productivity, market efficiency, and food access; collected data was analyzed through demographic, descriptive, and structural equation modeling by using SPSS 25 and SmartPLS4. Reliability is assessed through Cronbach's alpha and Validity through AVE. The study used SPSS 25 for descriptive statistics and SmartPLS4 for hypothetical relationships among the variables in Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Analysis. Additionally, secondary data were collected by reviewing relevant policy documents, reports, and scholarly articles that provide insights into the policy context, challenges, and opportunities associated with ICT-driven food security management in Bangladesh. All the data is sourced from the World Development Indicators (WDI) and is available on the World Bank (WB) website. The research used ix a mix of Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) modeling and SEM to evaluate the connections between ICT adoption, food security indices, and their related components. The results of this study reveal that ICT-based interventions have significantly contributed to food security management in Bangladesh. These interventions have facilitated real-time monitoring of agricultural activities, weather patterns, market prices, and food distribution channels, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions and allocate resources efficiently. The study found that food production & distribution (FPD) is essential to food security management (FSM). In addition, the data analysis indicated a substantial and favorable correlation between food safety and food security management in Bangladesh. The statistical study revealed a robust and affirmative association between these two notions, implying that endeavors focused on boosting food safety are linked to enhanced food security management methods. The results of the statistical analysis (H6), including path coefficients and significance levels, support the notion that the presence of Digital Market & Payment (DMP) significantly mediates the relationship between Food Production & Distribution (FPD) and Food Security Management (FSM). This mediation effect underscores the standing of digital solutions in enhancing the effectiveness of food security management strategies. The data analysis conducted (H7) in this research does not provide sufficient support for the mediating role of Digital Market & Payment (DMP) in the relationship between Food Safety and Food Security Management (FSM). The consequences indicate that digital market and payment systems do not significantly contribute to bridging the gap between food safety efforts and the effectiveness of food security management practices. Furthermore, ICT tools such as mobile applications, e commerce platforms, and digital payment systems have enhanced transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity within the food supply chain, benefiting producers and consumers. However, challenges such as digital divide issues, infrastructure limitations, and data privacy concerns pose significant barriers to implementing ICT-based food security interventions effectively. This study adds to the current body of knowledge by offering hard proof that interventions based on information and communication technologies improve food x security management in Bangladesh. The findings underscore the potential of ICT to address complex food security challenges, enhance resilience to shocks, and promote sustainable agricultural Development. Furthermore, the insights generated from this research can inform policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders in designing and implementing effective ICT strategies to achieve food security goals in Bangladesh and beyond. Recommendations are provided for policymakers to address the identified challenges and leverage the full potential of ICT for sustainable food security outcomes in Bangladesh. Lastly, integrating ICT into food security management represents a promising avenue for advancing agricultural productivity, enhancing market efficiency, and ensuring food access for all segments of society in Bangladesh. Continued investment in ICT infrastructure, capacity building, and policy support is essential to maximize the potential of ICT in addressing persistent food security challenges and achieving sustainable development objectives.